Feb 28

Tiger Woods gets all the buzz, but Vijay Singh's kindness remembered by volunteers at World Match Play

Even with another PGA Tournament underway - the Honda Classic at the extremely underrated PGA National Champion Course - Tiger Woods’ dominance at the World Match Play and throughout 2008 remains the topic in the golf world. Once a few national golf writers realized they could not be first on the Tiger perfect season bandwagon - started by WorldGolf.com’s William K. Wolfrum - they decided to one-up Wolfrum with talk that Tiger’s not only going to have a perfect season, he’s going to decide the U.S. presidency, probably somehow sweep the Beijing Olympics (even if golf’s not in it), invent the world’s greatest barbecue grill (watch out Foreman!) and kick Bill Belichick right in the hoodie.

(On a sidenote, when Tiger himself finally declares going undefeated for 08 is his driving goal - and even TravelGolf.com’s Tim McDonald notices that something’s going on in the “underground” of blogging - the story’s gone so mainstream that Katie Couric will be talking about it by Bay Hill).

Funny thing though. In Tucson, where Tiger’s blitz started it all, they’re not talking Tiger as much as they’re talking Vijay Singh. Yes, the same Vijay who quietly went out in the Match Play quarterfinals and didn’t play all that well in even getting that far, the same Vijay who smart golf fans know is done as a contender in major events.

In the days after the Match Play, going around and playing various Tucson-area courses, I’ve run into three different golf-nuts who volunteered at the Gallery Golf Club during the tourney and each one couldn’t stop talking about how nice Vijay was to the little people. A volunteer at the driving range told how Singh went out of his way to come down and thank all the workers at the range - after he was eliminated.

That just doesn’t happen in pro golf. It really doesn’t happen in professional sports period. Maybe the winner of the whole event remembers to thank everyone in his big-check trophy joy. But somehow who’s still smarting from a tough loss? The only guy Rory Sabbatini is thanking in that situation is himself.

I never been a big Vijay fan. But you cannot help but appreciate a pro who goes out of his way to make the volunteers feel valuable after he’s been kicked in the teeth by another loss. That’s class no matter what else you think of what Singh’s done in his career.

« Ernie Els desperately needs to finish Honda Classic rally to save his psyche

Henrik Stenson wonders why he had to play pointless third-place World Match Play match even after winning »

22 comments

§ Brandon Tucker® said on : 2008-02-29 @ 11:30
"That just doesn’t happen in pro golf. It really doesn’t happen in professional sports period."

Chris, I think Lorena Ochoa is probably just as accommodating as Vijay - win or lose. Doesn't she always find time to visit with the grounds staff at each venue - whether she wins or not, among other acts of gratitude?

While I can't think of any other examples off the top of my head regarding athletes being good sports despite poor play (other than in Baseketball when 'Coop' signs some autographs for sick kids in an attempt to score with Yasmine Bleeth after the Beers lost in the finals (an old man like you has seen Baseketball, right?), I have to think there are scores of good guy athletes out there who know when the game is over they still need to be an ambassador for the sport.
§ Jack said on : 2008-02-29 @ 11:31
That's wonderful that Vijay is remembered for his kindness by the volunteers, but what does that have to do with Tiger Woods getting buzz for his play???

You are quite the professional blogger or are you ????
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-02-29 @ 11:48
Singh is ten times the man Woods is and probably twice the man Woods will ever be.
§ Jack said on : 2008-02-29 @ 12:46
Judge, coming from you, that's not much of an endorsement !!! What a stupid comment- You can't
attack Wood's golf so you attack him as a human being !!!

You're one miserable excuse of a human being and ten times the idiot I thought you were !!!!!!!
§ Curtis said on : 2008-02-29 @ 13:33
Hey Small one, Your drawers are showing !!!!!!

Let's hope that the Universe doesn't give back that
which you put forth- if it does, you had better get longer drawers. ( especially in the rear)
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-03-01 @ 15:35
I see that two members of the peanut gallery have chimed in. Gentlemen, if you weren't so involved in idol worship, you would see people as they actually are. Woods is the greatest golfer who ever lived, but that isn't synonymous with being a good person. I don't demonize him, but he has more than his share of flaws.

Anyway, how does Woods' large intestine look, you sycophants?
§ Curtis said on : 2008-03-01 @ 16:53
Small One, You think you have the power to demonize anyone, let alone Tiger Woods !!!! Do you really think that he knows or cares who the heck you are ?

You shouldn't mention nuts at all -peanuts or otherwise !!

I have read your pathetic ranting and ravings enough to know that you are one pathetic old man. Get a life !!!!!!!
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-03-02 @ 11:07
Curtis,

You're an interesting "man." As a professional writer, I can tell you that generally only children and women use exclamation marks so liberally.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not questioning your sexuality or anything. But maybe you are.
§ Sincerman said on : 2008-03-02 @ 11:40
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/sports/golf/02singh.html?ref=golf

One more recent Vijay sighting.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 2008-03-02 @ 13:43
Judge - are your writings under a nom de plume?

Genuine question - I'm not being sarky.
§ Curtis said on : 2008-03-02 @ 14:18
Small One,
Ok , I'll be an interesting "man" if you'll continue to be a pathetic old "man".

Can one make a profession of hating" Tiger Woods" ?
§ Blazer said on : 2008-03-03 @ 00:05
Judge Smails, Funny how you fail to remember Vijay being banned from the Asian Tour for cheating. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe anyone has ever accused Tiger of the same.
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-03-03 @ 16:42
Wendy,

No, my real name is perfect. However, here I use a nom de blog.

Blazer,

True, Singh has that blotch on his record, and I'm the last one to excuse such things. But there is something called redemption; thus, I proceed wisely and judge a person's life in its entirety, as opposed to characterizing someone based on one event or allegation. Moreover, what matters most is the here and now, and when Woods spews F-bombs on the course, it doesn't speak very well of him.

Curtisina,

I don't know where you got the idea that I was a bit long in the tooth, unless it was my profundity and wisdom that gave you that impression. Regardless, I can assure you that your judgment is in error. I'm a fine figure of a man, admired by other men and desired by women.
§ Curtis said on : 2008-03-03 @ 21:48
Hey Small One,
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm not buying it !

You would be an old ass, even if you were 20. I'll
bet you that was at least 55 yrs. ago.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 2008-03-04 @ 09:53
Never doubted it for one moment, Your Honour. I was simply curious as
many professional writers do use a different name to their real one.
Nom de blog was good.
§ Ross said on : 2008-03-04 @ 19:05
Go get them Judge. Blazer you must be a petty beauracrat. Curtis your so hung up on age, a law suit is in order, but then again this old marine could spend 5 minutes with you in a back alley just to humble your punk mouth and rest assure it would be humbled.
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-03-06 @ 10:16
Curtis,

How much do you want to bet?
§ Curtis said on : 2008-03-06 @ 11:58
You name it Small one and as for Blazer, who needs an alley? I'll see your old marine and raise you a middle aged
Seal !!!
§ Judge Smails said on : 2008-03-06 @ 19:03
If you're a seal, Curtis, your the kind that does tricks for fish.
§ Ross said on : 2008-03-07 @ 04:45
Your as much a seal as John Daly. No, your just a yappy little puppy.
§ Alex said on : 2008-03-07 @ 08:07
Ross,

There are probably fewer Navy Seals and ex-Seals than any other specialized unit in the US military.

I was in the USMC for more than four years, in the Marine reserve for better than thirty years, and a life member of the Marine Corps league.

I have never met anyone who was actually an active duty Navy Seal.

Yet now, a week rarely passes when some joker doesn't claim to be a Seal.

I call BS on Curtis.

Alex USMC 1969-73
§ BV said on : 2008-03-12 @ 10:57
Alex et. al, I have a somewhat different perspective. I'm fortunate to work around folks with backgrounds at both Centcom and Socom, so I actually HAVE met a number of both active and retired 'operators' - be they Delta, Seals, Marine Recon, Rangers, or USAF PJs.

Personal experience tells me almost none of them make any sort of public noise about 'what they did in the service' - except for perhaps a highty-sanitized 'memoir' or Marcinko's novels.

I'm not going to directly call BS on Curtis, just let the facts presented speak for themselves.